Spurs’ Stephon Castle Reveals Gregg Popovich’s Pep Talk Before Flying to New York For Game 3 Versus Knicks

Gregg Popovich is no longer the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach, having stepped down in May 2025 and ending an illustrious 29-year stint with the team. He decided to leave the Spurs bench after suffering a mild stroke in November 2024.

He remains connected with the team, however, and players credit his advice and guidance as one of the reasons for their development. The Spurs enjoyed some success during their playoff run as a young team, but they now find themselves in a must-win situation.

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The five-time NBA champion coach, all of those titles coming with the Spurs, made sure to put the team in the right mindset before they headed to a crucial Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Guard Stephon Castle said Popovich sent them a message before they flew to New York.

Popovich told them that they were still in a position to win a game and that was what they needed to keep in mind.

“We talked to Pop before we flew down here. Pretty much his message was, ‘Just let the last two games go. It happened. They were very winnable games,’” Castle told reporters on Sunday.

“We felt like we gave them those games. ‘You guys let those go. Focus on the next one.’ I feel like the next game is the most important game in the series. So, we’re trying to come into that game and win it.”

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Gregg Popovich misses coaching

The players miss Popovich. His decision to step down came suddenly.

He hasn’t said much about retirement or the missed opportunity to coach a promising young group, but according to his friend, he misses being on the sidelines.

Popovich is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA. He won five championships, all during the era of Tim Duncan. He was named Coach of the Year three times and is honored as one of the Top 15 coaches of all time.